Hong Kong, Aug 25: It was for the first time in 12 weekends that a Hong Kong police officer fired a gunshot as pro-democracy protests once again took place in the country on Sunday.

The demonstrations started in the country since June and since then no instance of police resorting to firing had been reported so far.

The violence escalated late on Sunday evening when a smaller group of protesters broke away from the day's main march and proceeded onto an extended march that had not been approved. They used traffic cones and street railings to build makeshift barricades in the street, and threw bricks and petrol bombs, CNN reported.

In videos that have gone viral on social media, a policeman could be seen pointing a gun towards the sky.

In another first instance, Sunday night also witnessed police personnel deploying water cannon against protesters earlier during the day.

Police deployed tear gas into the group but failed to disperse them, and later used a water cannon against a makeshift barricade. This is the first time water cannons have been used in a protest in the past three months, a Hong Kong police spokesperson tells CNN.

"Having given repeated warnings to the protestors in vain, the anti-riot Police officers have deployed tear gas and used minimum respective force to disperse protestors. The Police appeal to everyone on site to leave immediately and condemn all violent acts by the protestors," the police tweeted.

Having given repeated warnings to the protestors in vain, the anti-riot Police officers have deployed tear gas and used minimum respective force to disperse protestors.

The Police appeal to everyone on site to leave immediately and condemn all violent acts by the protestors.